9 Dec 2009
- EPA’s Children’s Environmental Health Newsletter: Dec 2009
I. Children’s Health Issues
II. Upcoming Conferences and Events
III. Announcements
I. Children’s Health Issues
A. $10 Million in Grants Aimed at Enrolling American Indian, Alaska
Native Kids in Health Care to be Awarded
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced the availability of up to $10 million in grants to help reach American Indian and Alaska Native
(AI/AN) children who qualify for, but are not yet enrolled, in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
These new grants are part of a broader effort to find and enroll uninsured children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but not enrolled. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) set aside $100 million for fiscal years 2009-2013 expressly to help find and enroll eligible uninsured children, including $10 million specifically for Indian health providers.
For more information about the outreach and enrollment grants, go to
www.cms.hhs.gov/CHIPRA. Questions about the grants may be directed to
the CHIPRA grants mailbox AIANCHIPRAOUTREACHGRANTS@cms.hhs.gov
General information about CHIP can be found at www.insurekidsnow.gov.
B. New Proposed EPA rule for Primary National Ambient Air Quality
Standards for Sulfur Dioxide
On November 16, the EPA opened to public comment the new proposed EPA rule for Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide. To learn more about the rule got to:
http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/actions.html
The EPA is accepting comments for 60 days following the date of publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register. The easiest ways to submit comments are through www.regulations.gov or email a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov (reference Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0352).
Also, the agency will hold a public hearing on Jan. 5, 2010 in Atlanta.
We invite abstracts to be submitted for presentations as posters for
C. Call for Abstracts: Strengthening Environmental Justice Research and
Decision Making: A Symposium on the Science of Disproportionate
Environmental Health Impacts.
Abstracts for presentations as posters for data and methodology poster discussion sessions are being solicited for the symposium. Abstracts should highlight the application of methods, data, analysis approaches,, and frameworks for assessing disproportionate environmental health impacts with respect to the following topic areas:
1. Proximity and Exposure to Environmental Hazards
2. Population Susceptibility/Vulnerability
3. Unique Exposure Pathways
4. Cumulative Impacts/Burden
5. Community Capacity to Participate in the Decision-Making Process
6. Vulnerable Physical Infrastructure 7. Chronic Community Stress
The Abstract Submission Deadline is December 15, 2009. Abstract Selections will be announced January 15, 2010 The Strengthening Environmental Justice and Decision Making Symposium is March 17 – 19, 2010. Visit:
http://www.scgcorp.com/envirjusticesym.
D. The American Public Health Association (APHA) Webinar: “A look at U.S. Regional Impacts of Climate Change on Health”
Public health professionals have the opportunity to participate in a new webinar series covering climate change. Topics will include the basic science of climate change, impacts to human health, the role of public health in climate change action plans, vulnerable populations, communication challenges, case studies, and more.
Join 2nd webinar in this series: “A Look at U.S. Regional Impacts of Climate Change on Health” December 8, 2009 1 pm – 2 pm EST. For more go
to: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=po14i9sqnyje
E. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF
HEALTH ( NIH) TEAMS UP WITH THE LANCET AND LEADING INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE: New Strategies Promote Health and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Strategies to reduce greenhouse gases also benefit human health, according to studies published today in the medical journal The Lancet.
The Lancet series highlights case studies on four climate change topics
- household energy, transportation, electricity generation, and agricultural food production. Researchers say cost savings realized from improving health will offset the cost of addressing climate change and, therefore, should be considered as part of all policy discussions related to climate change. Key researchers and public health officials in the United States and Britain gathered together via satellite simulcast to unveil the new research.
The studies were commissioned to help inform discussions at the U.N.
Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009.
This NIH News Release is available online at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2009/niehs-25.htm.
II. Upcoming Conferences and Events
A. Annual Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) National
Symposium Organizer: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Date: January 14-16, 2010, Washington, DC
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosts its annual
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) National Symposium in
Washington, DC, to bring together past, present, and future leaders
in protecting and improving IAQ in our nation’s schools. The IAQ TfS
Program is a nationwide initiative to help school officials assess,
resolve, and prevent IAQ problems, and to reduce exposure to asthma
triggers in school facilities. While school officials,
administrators, facilities and operations personnel, teachers,
parents, and students traditionally attend, the Symposium is open to
anyone with an interest in IAQ in schools.
B. NBC4 17th Annual Health and Fitness Expo. January 16-19, 2010,
Washington, DC.
Come join over 85,000 participates that are excited to learn how to
protect their health. There will be games, dancing, screening for a
host of health issues like high blood pressure, obesity, and
diabetes. This is a fun filled event for the whole family and
community. To learn more about this event, visit:
http://networkevents.tv/events/detail.cfm?id=67
C. Annual Conference of the National Association for Bilingual
Education. February 3-6, 2010. Denver, CO.
The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only national
professional organization devoted to representing Bilingual Learners
and Bilingual Education professionals. NABE has affiliates in 25
states which collectively represent more than 20,000 members that
include Bilingual and English Language Learner (ELL) teachers,
parents, paraprofessionals, administrators, professors, advocates,
researchers, and policy makers. NABE’s mission is to advocate for our
nations Bilingual and English Language Learners and families and to
cultivate a multilingual multicultural society by supporting and
promoting policy, programs, pedagogy, research, and professional
development that yield academic success, value native language, lead
to English proficiency, and respect cultural and linguistic
diversity.
As tireless advocates that work to influence and create policies,
programs, research, pedagogy and professional development, we know
that we are investing in our children’s education, our nation’s
leadership, and our world’s well being.
http://www.nabe.org/conference.html
D. 9th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth. February 4-6, 2010.
Seattle, Washington.
Save the Date for the 9th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth:
Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities will be held February
4-6, 2010 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in
Seattle, Washington. http://www.newpartners.org/
E. American Association for the Advancement of Science. February
18-22, 2010. San Diego, CA.
AAAS President and Nobel Laureate Peter C. Agre invites you to join a
diverse array of leading scientists, engineers, educators, and
policy-makers at the association’s 176th meeting. It will attract
attendees from all U.S. states and territories as well as more than
50 countries.
F. Society of Toxicology. March 7-11, 2010. Salt Lake City, UT.
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting is the largest
toxicology meeting and exhibition in the world, attracting more than
6,500 scientists from industry, academia, and government from various
countries around the globe. From the keynote address and special
lectures, to a wide range of symposia sessions to continuing
education courses that cover the basic and the advanced topics of the
day, to the workshops, thematic sessions that complement the
symposia, roundtables, poster sessions, and award presentations,
SOT’s Annual Meeting has something for every attendee.
http://www.toxicology.org/AI/MEET/AM2010/am.asp
G. Disproportionate Impacts Symposium. March 17-19 2010, Washington,
D.C.
The EPA Administrator speaks to environmental justice and protecting
the health of vulnerable populations. This meeting will provide
scientific evidence needed for the Agency to be more effective in
addressing disproportionate environmental health impacts in the
Agency regulatory decision making process, which is critical for
achieving the Agency’s goals for environmental justice. The symposium
is open and free to the public.
http://www.scgcorp.com/envirjusticesym/
H. National Science Teachers Association (National Conference). March 18-21, 2010. Philadelphia, PA.
Join your colleagues in the City of Brotherly Love for NSTA’s 58th
National Conference on Science Education. Conference registration and
exhibits will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Most sessions
and events have been scheduled at the Convention Center and the
Doubletree Philadelphia Hotel, Loew’s Philadelphia Hotel,
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, and Sheraton Philadelphia City Center
Hotel.
http://www.nsta.org/conferences/2010phi/
I. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Annual Conference on Pediatric Health Care. April 15-18, 2010.
Chicago, Ill.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
looks forward to seeing you at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago!
This vibrant hotel standing on the top of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile
is the ideal location to hold NAPNAP’s 31st Annual Conference on
Pediatric Health Care. We invite you to join your colleagues for the
educational programs and networking events that will make “Achieving
Vision: Pediatric Health Care Beyond the Millennium” the premier
professional forum. The conference, which begins on Thursday, April
15 and wraps up on Sunday, April 18, addresses a variety of current
topics that have an impact on your practice. This year specific
tracks focus on Mental Health, Emerging Science, and Professional
Issues, with additional sessions in both primary and acute care,
making this conference a unique educational opportunity for all
pediatric healthcare providers. We are especially pleased to feature
keynote speakers who each address an essential component necessary to
achieve our mission – Promoting optimal health for children through
leadership, practice, advocacy, education and research.
http://www.napnap.org/Events/AnnualConference.aspx
J. Annual National Association of Child Care Professionals National
Conference (NACCP). April 20-23, 2010. Chicago, Ill.
NACCP is pleased to announce Stedman Graham as the Opening Keynote
Speaker of the 26th Annual National Conference in Chicago! Mr.
Graham will share his presentation, You Can make It Happen™:The
Nine-Step Success Process.
You Can Make It Happen™: The Nine-Step Success Process puts resources
and strategies into people’s hands to take control of their lives.
Graham shares his insights regarding this systematic approach to
organizing and advancing life goals and ambitions. It’s the ‘how’.
Implemented consistently, the process helps build personal and
professional effectiveness, increases focus, enhances time management
and helps improve relationships.
https://m360.naccp.org/event.aspx?eventID=8587
III. Announcements
A. EPA Awards $800,000 for Environmental Justice Projects in Five States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a total of $800,000 to five state government agencies to support state efforts to work with communities to address environmental and public health issues, such as childhood lead poisoning and exposure to air pollution. The funding will help address concerns in communities disproportionately exposed to environmental risks.
The following organizations received $160,000 each for the projects described below:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for developing a system to ensure the participation of Alaska Native tribal organizations in the state permitting process.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control for creating and implementing public education programs, developing compliance assistance programs for small businesses, and focusing on generating green jobs in communities identified as having environmental justice concerns.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for conducting community outreach on residential lead paint contamination and proper handling and abatement throughout the City of East St. Louis.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for providing remediation and education to reduce community exposure to air pollution and solid waste.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for offering technical assistance to communities in a pilot program to conduct environmental assessments and address environmental issues using the collaborative problem-solving model.
EPA provides funding for state-lead environmental justice projects under the agency’s State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement program with the goal of developing approaches that can be replicated in other communities with similar concerns.
Information about state funding through the State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement program:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-sejca-grants.html
Information about funding for local governments and non-profit organizations through the Environmental Justice Small Grants program:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html
B. Tribal Science Webinar Series #4: “Climate Change and Contaminants in Subsistence Foods: A Tribal Program to Monitor The Health of Alaskan Yupik Women and Children”
The webinar will take place December 10, 2009 from 1:30 to 3:30PM eastern time. Teleconference & Website log-in begins 15 minutes prior to webinar. To participate in these webinars: Register at
http://epa.blhtech.com/webinars For EPA Regional offices and other
participants, Toll free teleconference phone number: 866-299-3188 followed by access code: 202 564 8322#
C. Invitation to join the US EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice List Serve. The Office of Environmental Justice of the United States Environmental Protection Agency would like to invite you to join the EJ ListServ. The purpose of this information tool is to notify individuals about innovative activities at EPA in the field of Environmental Justice. By subscribing to this list you will receive information on EPA’s activities, programs, projects, grants and about Environmental Justice activities at other agencies. Noteworthy news items, National meeting announcements, meeting summaries of The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) and new publication notices will also be distributed. The ListServ will also share information on new opportunities in the fields of Climate Change and Green Jobs.
This tool also provides you with an opportunity to inform stakeholders of activities, programs and projects that you are planning and requests for participation on work groups or committees. The EJ ListServ is an excellent way to connect with thousands of EJ Stakeholders. Postings can only be made by the Office of Environmental Justice. To request an item to be posted, send your information to bell.aaron@epa.gov and indicate in the subject “Post to EPA-EJ List Serve”
To join the list serve please register at the website below:
https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=epa-ej
The administrators of the EJ ListServ will appreciate you forwarding this invite to colleagues and/or additional interested parties at your discretion. You can visit our web page http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice
